"Pupa, I still think Han Shun might've joined the demonic cultivation." 

"Why so? I told you that his scan report is fine."

"I don't know," Yunyu mumbled as he stared at Pupa, "I feel like you're hiding something from me as well…."

…

"What? Are you done speaking crap?" Pupa asked.

"Wha, what do you mean I'm speaking crap!"

"Because you've been uneasy since we left Forest of Lost Mist, and now you're also suspecting me colluding with the enemy or something," Pupa rolled its mechanical eyes. "I don't get any benefit of tricking you."

…

Bai Yunyu was still suspicious of Pupa. He felt like Pupa was colluding with someone, maybe more than one person.

But then again, he was always the one who liked reading conspiracy theories at 3 A.M. 

Maybe it was all just his imagination. 

Yunyu sighed and leaned his back on the wooden wall, "Okay, the preparation is all done. All I can do now is rest and wait for about 5 days to a week.

**

The days after that passed normally. It had been a while since Han Shun and Bai Shijue had a peaceful day, and it was precious for Han Shun, who had been craving such peace and quiet with Bai Gege.

They walked around the village, ate snacks, drank tea in the nearest teahouse, then visited Baishe, the white snake in her lair. 

Bai Shijue and Han Shun paced around the forest before dusk as they enjoyed the moment.

[Pupa, why do I feel like Han Shun and I have a date today?]

[Pupa: Huh? You didn't realize it? You eat with him, walk around the quiet place, and he even bought you a flower with his pocket money. He is literally treating you as his date.]

[Bruh, I was just thinking about when Han Shun was still a kid, and I had to take care of him. I grabbed his hand and guided him through the city square. How could it turn into a date now?]

Han Shun called Bai Gege while they were walking;

"Bai Gege…"

"Hm?" 

"You know, when I was a kid, you had a date during a festival with that military General, General Fei."

"Yes, I still remember that," Bai Shijue confirmed.

Han Shun had a thin smile on his face. He had this hopeless feeling in his heart, "At that time, I followed you two from behind. I was burning in jealousy because you're going with another man. I want to just kick General Fei away and replace him instead."

"I know it's childish, but I was really pissed off," Han Shun said. He turned his head towards Bai Gege slowly, and his smile grew deeper, "But I'm glad that I can have a date with Bai Gege now."

"…"

Bai Shijue was unsure if he had to deny Han Shun's claim about them having a date. But Han Shun seemed so happy about it, so Bai Shijue didn't have the heart to deny his claim.

"Bai Gege, I don't think you understand my feeling for you. I lo—"

"That's enough, Han Shun," Bai Shijue interrupted. "You're not allowed to continue."

"But… why?"

"Because I'm an immortal, and I'm also a sect leader. I don't want to ruin our relationship because of a fleeting feeling."

"It's not fleeting at all!" Han Shun retorted. "I've been feeling this for a long time, Bai Gege!"

…

"Han Shun, you shouldn't be thinking of such a thing to your teacher," Bai Shijue sighed. "If you insist on such a ridiculous idea, I will have to distance myself from you."

"Wha—" Han Shun quickly closed his gap with Bai Gege as he wanted to hug him. But Bai Shijue turned into mist and appeared about ten feet from him. 

"Bai Gege!" Han Shun called him, about to approach his master. 

"Promise me to never bring the idea again, Han Shun. At least not until you've bested me."

'Because if you've bested me, you're ready to be the Sect leader, and the world will be completed,' Bai Shijue said in his heart. 

Han Shun's eyes glimmered with hope. Bai Gege told the same thing before, and it always gave him hope about their future together, "Bai Gege, that means you will always wait until I can be stronger than you, right?"

"Yes."

"And after that, I can do anything, right? That means you cannot reject when I confess!"

"…" 

Bai Shijue nodded in response. Han Shun felt that he could explode with happiness. He knew that Bai Gege was simply unreachable for many, but for Han Shun, he still had a chance as long as Bai Gege didn't fully reject him.

"Then I will be the strongest of them all, and you won't be able to reject me! That also means I can always protect you from anything and anyone!" Han Shun claimed. "Bai Gege, do you believe I can reach that height?"

Bai Shijue had a thin smile and nodded, "Yes, I believe it."

"YES! That means I can do it! As long as Bai Gege believes in me, there is nothing I can't do!" Han Shun jumped around excitedly, and Bai Shijue couldn't help feeling the same delight as he saw the kid he raised become a young adult.

[Sigh, I feel bad for Han Shun.]

[Pupa: Because you turned him gay?]

[Hey, not that! I feel bad because I have to give him a false promise. Since I can't live with him in this world after we finished the Breakmeter.]

[Pupa: That's a risk you should take, it's quick transmigration, after all.]

[If only I originated from this world or something, Han Shun is probably the man I will live with.]

[Pupa: You're showing a sign of love, are you in love with Han Shun?]

[Whaaaat? No, of course not. Ew, that's so gross. I'm just thinking about compensating him because he works the hardest to get me! It's only fair, right? I'm not a heartless guy who would hurt such a good man!]

[Pupa:…]